The Bacteriological Analysis Of "Pure" Water Sachets Sold In South Eastern States

ABSTRACT

Packaged water samples of different brands (Lunar, Divine, Onuire, Chidi, Royal, Amen, Ragolis, Paani, Euro, Kings, Robin, Crystal, Goodness, Ada and Swan) collected from the South Eastern States (Aba, Enugu and Umuahia) were examined with respect to the total number and types of bacteria using routine bacteriological techniques. Selective and enrichment media, such as nutrient/MacConkey agar, were used to isolate several species of G —ve bacteria. Results of the study revealed that the following bacteria were predominant and their percentage of occurrence were as follows: Escherichia spp (27.8%), Staphyloccus spp (27.7%), Pseudomonas spp (0.05%), Proteus spp (11.1%), and Micrococcus spp (11.1%). The brand most contaminated was Royal, which had up to 368 cfu/ml while Paani, Lunar and Swan had lower numbers of bacterial count/mI. Considerable variations in populations were seen between the brands as well as between two batches of the same packaged water. Unregistered packaged brands showed higher microbial counts, making them potentially more hazardous than registered packaged brands.